B31.

3 Radiography Requirements

By: Carol Wiley

Updated September 26, 2017
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Code B31.3 of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) specifies requirements
for process piping. Process piping means pipes used to move materials from one location to
another. The B31.3 code is a 384-page book that includes requirements for piping usually
located in facilities such as petroleum refineries, chemical and pharmaceutical plants, textile
and paper mills, semiconductor and cryogenic plants and similar processing facilities.

Industrial radiography is the use of X-rays to inspect pipes, walls and other structures. Code
B31.3 includes radiography requirements to inspect process piping.

Five Percent Random Radiography of Welds

Code B31.3 specifies that the default inspection requirement for checking the butt welds of a
piping system under construction is radiography of a random 5 percent of each lot of pipe. If
the radiographs from that lot are approved, the entire lot is approved. According to "The
Fabricator," a publication of the Fabricators and Manufacturers Association, the definition of
what constitutes a lot of piping is open to interpretation.

Weld Rejection Requirements

If the inspector rejects a radiograph of one weld from a lot, radiographs of two more welds
must be done. Rejection of one of these two radiographs requires radiographs of two more
welds. If one of these two radiographs is rejected, radiographs of all the welds in the lot must
be done.

Other Requirements
The 5 percent random radiography rule refers to normal process piping that carries low-
pressure, nonlethal materials. Piping is also classified into four other categories:
 Category M carries lethal fluids, High Pressure and Severe Cyclic piping carry
materials above specified pressure limits Category M requires 20 percent random
radiography of butt welds.
 Category D carries harmless, low-pressure, low-temperature fluid. Category D piping
requires only a visual examination.
 High Pressure and Severe Cyclic piping require 100 percent radiography of butt welds
and branch connections.